Join the County of Orange and OC Parks to celebrate the Zookeepers of the OC Zoo on Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Zookeeper Appreciation Day helps thank the zookeepers for all of their hard work caring for the animals of the OC Zoo. To celebrate their efforts, OC Zoo will offer kids’ activities including crafts, games, and a special scavenger hunt where you can enter to win a Zookeeper Shadow Experience.

Throughout the day, zookeepers will be giving keeper chats and special treats and toys to the zoo animals. Zookeepers will give a special talk on “So You Want To Be A Zookeeper” at 10:30 a.m. Visitors will learn what a zookeeper’s day is like, see some of the “tools of the trade,” and meet some of the OC Zoo animals up close.

Kids are encouraged to come dressed in zookeeper attire and costumes. The first 100 children, ages 12 and under, to attend Zookeeper Appreciation Day, will receive a free train ride ticket for Irvine Park Railroad.

Reservations for Zookeeper Appreciation Day are not required. All event activities are free with a paid zoo admission of $2 per person, ages 2 and under are free.